Anime and Philosophy: Wide Eyed Wonder (Popular Culture and Philosophy) [Paperback]

Josef Steiff (Editor), Tristan D. Tamplin (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2010 | Series: Popular Culture and Philosophy (Book 47)

Anime and Philosophy focuses on some of the most-loved, most-intriguing anime films and series, as well as lesser-known works, to find what lies at their core. Astro Boy, Dragon Ball Z, Ghost in the Shell, and Spirited Away are just a few of the films analyzed in this book. In these stories about monsters, robots, children, and spirits who grapple with the important questions in life we find insight crucial to our times: lessons on morality, justice, and heroism, as well as meditations on identity, the soul, and the meaning — or meaninglessness — of life. Anime has become a worldwide phenomenon, reaching across genres, mediums, and cultures. For those wondering why so many people love anime or for die-hard fans who want to know more, Anime and Philosophy provides a deeper appreciation of the art and storytelling of this distinctive Japanese culture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...favor(s) readability over citations and jargon.  I could read articles about films I hadn't seen and still follow the points and description."
                                    -- Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading (March 25, 2010)  at comicsworthreading.com

About the Author

Josef Steiff is the Associate Chair, Film & Video Department, Columbia College, where he teaches courses in science fiction and anime among other topics. He is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Filmmaking, Tristan Tamplin has a Ph.D. in philosophy and is the principal designer at Verso Design Corporation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Open Court (March 30, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812696700
• ISBN-13: 978-0812696707
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended to anime enthusiasts and philosophers alike, May 14, 2010

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anime and Philosophy: Wide Eyed Wonder (Popular Culture and Philosophy) (Paperback)

Anime and Philosophy: Wide Eyed Wonder is an anthology of essays by learned philosophers discussing the philosophical implications of the animated movies and television shows of Japanese popular culture. From "'Astro Boy' and the Atomic Age" to "Did Santa Die on the Cross?" to "Everything You Never Wanted to Know about Sex and Were Afraid to Watch", these writings explore meanings beneath the surface of this widely beloved art form, which speaks to people so strongly that it has generated a solid international audience. Anime and Philosophy is a long overdue and enthusiastically welcome contribution to philosophy collections, highly recommended to anime enthusiasts and philosophers alike.